The Best Ever Brownie Company has closed its doors after seven years, bringing to an end a much-loved local business known for its inexplicably good brownies.
The business, run by Solance and Craig Poole, has ceased trading along with its Barn Café site in Foxham with immediate effect.
Speaking to Calne News, Solance said the decision had been “incredibly upsetting” but unavoidable.
“It was definitely the right decision in the end,” she said. “As hard as it’s been, we had to prioritise Craig’s health and our family.”
Craig was diagnosed with fibromyalgia around 18 months ago, and Solance said his health had worsened over the past year.
The Barn Café also struggled throughout 2025 due to extensive roadworks on the main route from Calne, which were in place for several months and significantly reduced passing trade.
“The road from Calne was shut from mid-April until mid-August with heavy diversions,” Solance explained. “We lost a huge amount of business during that time and we could never pick it back up again.”
She added that rising costs had further impacted the business, with the price of key ingredients increasing sharply.
“Chocolate has tripled in price, and eggs and butter have doubled or even tripled,” she said. “With the current climate, it became impossible to carry on.”
The Best Ever Brownie Company was founded in 2018 and built a loyal following, with demand increasing rapidly during the pandemic.
Despite the closure, Solance confirmed that the family’s new ventures - The Pink Café and Little Pink Shop in Wood Street, will continue to trade successfully.
Both The Pink Cafe and Little Pink Shop opened at the end of 2025. The Pink Cafe serves a variety of hot and cold drinks alongside some truly delicious cakes and bakes. Just next door the Little Pink Shop is a treasure trove of pink gifts and candles.
“They’re doing brilliantly,” she said. “It’s a much simpler operation with lower costs, which is what we need right now.”
Solance added that the family was grateful for the support shown by customers over the years.
